How to intergrate chickens?

[MuskokaChick]

I have 11 Red Stars (26 weeks old)

I have a coop that is 10x16

The red stars are in a section that is 10x6 with 5 nests (they tend to use 2 nest and a spot under one of the nests, so 3 of them are not being used.

The silkies are in another pen in the coop 4x7.

Now here is the question

I have 13 more red stars coming next Wednesday (15 weeks old)

I am not sure what to do.

make a whole new space for them (perches, feeder and waterer)?
make a new space, yet make a door to the part where the food, water and nests are?
just open up their space and put them all in together?

I have a week to figure this out *sigh*

 

[larkflying]

What I would do is make a temporary spot for the younger batch where they can see and talk to the old ones, but not be terrorized. After a week, or when they all seem to get along, you can remove the barrier and they should adjust pretty well. Make sure they have food and water in their little spot . . . there will always be some pecking, but really it won't be bad if you give them that get to know you time . . . . plus it helps them to feel more comfy in their new home anyway.

 

[MuskokaChick]

ok great...that was my gut feeling, but wasn't sure if I was being too cautious or not enough...

My 11 birds get along wonderfully and I am really not wanting to upset the order to much

So I will create the new space, with their own water and food...then after a while I will open it up, as the nest boxes are all in the other section...

not sure if I should make more nests...but I built some nice nest and out of 5 only 2 are being used...